ESPN Men's Basketball

RICHMOND, Ky. -- Mike DiNunno and Tarius Johnson scored 13 points apiece and Eastern Kentucky pulled away from Eastern Illinois in the first half en route to a 65-54 win Thursday night in the Colonels' Ohio Valley Conference opener.

Eastern Kentucky (11-3) broke an 8-8 tie with a 19-4 run and led 35-18 at halftime. The Colonels shot 52 percent in the first half (13 of 25), compared to 35 percent (7 of 20) for the Panthers, and committed only two first-half turnovers.

Eastern Kentucky led by as many as 20 as the Panthers (3-12, 0-2), who entered the game last in the conference in scoring (56.3 points per game), could get no closer than 10.

The Colonels' Glenn Cosey failed to score in double figures for the first time this season, finishing with eight points.

Morris Woods scored 15 points on 6-of-7 shooting for the Panthers, who have lost eight straight.